Burning the shirt

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Well, it hasn’t happened very often this far into a season. There’s only three other examples since Ralph arrived at Maryland in 2001 of guys sitting for half the year before being called upon. Here’s a case-by-case look at each:\

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The background: Nabbing Foxworth was probably Ralph’s first big recruiting get upon arriving at Maryland. It was hoped that Foxworth could sit out his first season, but when both Dennard Wilson and Tony Okanlawon were unavailable for a November date with Clemson - 10 games into the season - Foxworth was pressed into duty as a starter. The Terps won that game to clinch a share of the ACC title, and he started the next week as Maryland upended N.C. State to lock up an Orange Bowl berth.\

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The verdict: Based on both necessity and outcome, that decision worked out well.\

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Justin Duffie, 2002\

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The background: Originally came to Maryland to play lacrosse, but his sheer size made him a perfect fit on the defensive line. It’s debatable whether he was technically a true freshman or a redshirt freshman when he walked on in 2002 (he graduated high school in 2000), but either way he appeared for one play as a long snapper against North Carolina in the ninth game of the season. He didn’t see the field again until the Peach Bowl, when injuries and other hijinks forced him into a starting role at nose tackle. He made two tackles against Tennessee in the 30-3 victory, but his career was later derailed by a battle with Crohn’s Disease.\

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The verdict: A perfect example of Ralph’s mantra: “I’m going to play who I have to play to win the football game.”\

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Jason Goode, 2004\

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The background: Shuttled between H-back and tight end throughout his career, Goode was tossed into action in the seventh game of the ‘04 season against Clemson. However, he was injured in practice the next week and didn’t play the rest of the season. For his career, Goode has 22 catches for 282 yards and a touchdown.\

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The verdict: Probably not the best way to wind up burning a redshirt, though one position the Terps have built superlative depth is tight end.\